Fluid operated hydraulic pump



Aug. 22, 1950 E. N. MaCNlL FLUID OPERATED HYDRAULIC PUMP Filed nec. 2v, 'i948 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ss l5 4A- sa sa Tx c1. )0.

. nvm/ron. EDWARD N. ljAcNgn. www W um TTORNEYS Patented Aug. 22, 1950 UNITED srArEs PATENT OFFICE..

FLUID OPERATED HYDRAULIC PUMP Edward N. MacNeil, |Coalinga, Calif.

Application December 27, 1948, Serial No. 67,492

1 EClaim.

This invention relates to hydraulic pumps and more particularly to fluid operated hydraulic pumps.

One step in the production of crude oil or petroleum is the pumping of the crude oil from a drilled well. In order to accomplish the removal of the oil from the well, a casing is located in the well with the lower end of the casing extending downwardly into the oil containing sands of the well. The usual method is to lower a pump or working barrel to the lower end of the casing into the quantity of oil within the lower end of the casing. The conventional pump is provided with a valve mechanism which is operated by vertically reciprocated pump rods extending longitudinally of the casing and operable by means of a pumping jack located at the surface of the ground attached to the upper end of the rods. The working barrel frequently breaks down or gets out of order requiring that it be pulled from the casing for the needed repairs. The valve mechanism of the working barrel, the pump rods, and the jack are continuously subject to wear, maladjustment and deterioration during operation. They are inefficient and waste considerable pumping power by frictional losses and f stroying the pump rod and casing, and comprising a fire hazard.

When a working barrel is used in crooked or angled wells, the valve mechanism is less eniciently operated than in straight, vertical wells. The cost of operating a conventional pump or working barrel is almost prohibitive in stripper wells7 wells from which the production has been reduced to a negligible quantity. Many stripper wells are plugged and abandoned because of the high cost of mechanically pumping the oil from the well.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved pump employing a fluid pressure system for motivation of the pumped fluids. l v

Another object of the present invention is to provided a pump having a minimum number of moving parts.

Another object is to provide an economically operable pump that is characterized by increased efficiency over pumps heretofore known and which makes profitable the pumping of stripper wells, and the like.

Another object is to avoid the waste of energy in the operation of fluid pumps which occurs in the mechanical elevation or motivation of the pumped fluids and/or the vertical reciprocation of mechanical pumping elements duringv th pumping operation.

Another object is to provide a pump for pumping fluids which is especially adapted for use in pumping fluids or liquids from crooked or angled wells.

Another object is to provide a pump for oil wells, water Wells-and the like Which-during a pumping operation obviates the necessity. of reciprocal movement of pumping elements longitudinally of theA wells in which the pump is mounted.

Another object-is to provide a pneumatically actuated pump capableof `lifting fluids through greater distances than obtainable by turbine, reciprocal, jet, or other fluid actuated pumps heretofore known. E

A stillv further object of the inventionis to provide a pump -in which changes in power motivating requirements. are substantially proportional tothe foot-pounds of work performed on a pumped medium, vindependent of distances through which various quantitiesof the medium are lifted in performing a given amountof work.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will subsequently become apparent in pneumatically actuated .pump constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention showing the well in which the pump-is located and adjacent earth in vertical section.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional View vof the upper end of the pump. f

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, axial, sectional view through the lower end of the pump in its operative position for receiving fluid in the fluid chamber at the lower end thereof. Y 1

Fig. 4 is a view similarA to Fig. 3 showing the pump in its `operative position for expelling or discharging oil therefrom. y

. Figs. 5, 6, and '7 are each horizontal, transverse, sectional, views through their respective valve portions of the pump; taken respectively along lines 5--5, 6--6, and -'l in-Fig. 3, illustrative of their cooperative positions for reception of oil into the lower end ofthe pump. l Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are each horizontal transverse sectional views throughftheir, respectiye valve portions .of the pump taken respectively along lines 8 8, 9 9, and lll-l0 in Fig. 4 illustrative of their cooperative positions foroil pump: ing action. i Y

Referring to the drawings and particularly to the illustration iny Fig. 1, the pump of the present inventio-n is adapted to be used in connection with the usual well casing I6 which is cylindrical in form and extends from a location above the ground downwardly into a Well drilled vertically into the ground with the lower end of the casing extending. downwardly into the oil sands of the well. VIt is to b`e` understood that the casing I may also be an auxiliary casing positioned within the regular casing, as convenience or economic considerations suggest. The upper end of the Well casing I0 is encircled by a foundation f2 made of concrete or other suitable material so that the casing is held in predetermined position in the well. Portions of the lengthY of the well casing l0 are broken away in several of the gures for illustrative convenience, the portions of the casing not shown are in actual practice, hundreds and in some instances thousands of feet in length. The Vcasing I0 extends a short distance above the foundation I2 and extends downwardly in the well with its lower end submerged in oil bearing y the upper level of the' oil in the well. A pair of annularplugs I5" 'and l1 are frictionally or otherwise held between the casing |0` and the tube I5, maintaining` the casing and tube in concentric relation, with the plug I S located closely adjacent Y the lower end of the casing and tube and the plug I1 located upwardly therefronlV adjacent the upper end of the tube I5 and in close proximity, but preferably slightly above the surface of the oil inI the well. The space between the two plugs in the casing I0 provides4 a uid chamber I8 adapted to alternately receive oil and gas under pressure during the operation of the pump.

The' upper end of the well casing I'Ii is covered by a cap I9 screwed or otherwise secured at 20 to the upper end of the casing and enclosing a compressed gas chamber 2|v within the casing Ill between. the cap |9` and the plug |1. A pneumatic pressure pipe 22 communicates with the upper end of the chamber' 2| and is connected to a source of gas or fluid under pressure.

The' lower end of the cylindrical tube I 5 is provided with a plurality of apertures or perforations 23 therethrough immediately above the plug I6 so that oil may gr'avitationally flow up the lower end of the tube I5 and outwardly into the casing between the plugs. A check valve seat 2li is located annularly within the lower terminal end ofthe tube I5 with a ball check 25 adapted to seat on the' check valve seat and a pin 26 extending diametrically across the tube I5 permitting limited vertical movement of the ball relative to the seat. This check valve structure limits fluid movement through the lower end of the tube I5 to movement into the chamber I8.

l A cylindrical sleeve 28 is screw-threaded at 29 to the upper end of the cylindrical tube I5 in axial alignment therewith. A cylindrical core 30 is rotatably mounted within the sleeve 28 and the upper end of the cylindrical tube I5 and is held in longitudinally fixed position therein by means f. a ange 3| integral with the core extending in. rotatable relation between adjacent ends of the cylindrical tube and the sleeve 28. The core 39 is provided with an oil discharge passage or ccnduit 32 formed coaxlally therein with the lower end of the conduit communicating with the chamber I8 in the interior of the tube I5 and the upper end of the conduit communicating with an oil discharge pipe 33 threadably received into the upper end of the passage. A check valve 34 is provided in the conduit 32 and limits movement of fluid therethrough to an upwardly direction. Thus oil or other iluid may be urged upwardly through the conduit 32 but cannot return downwardly to the chamber |-8.

The cylindrical core 3B is rotatably mounted within the tube I5 and the sleeve 28 for valving control between a position which for purposes of convenience is referred to as intake position for ow oi oil into the tube I5 and a second position referred to as exhaust position. A lateral passage 38 is formed in the core communicating with the upper end of the discharge conduit 32 above the check valve 34. A gas pressure port 39 is formed through the sleeve 28 in a positionregistering with the passage 58 when the core is in intake position. This bleeds pneumatic pressure from the chamber 2| and simultaneously aerates oil in the upper end of the conduit 32 and discharge pipe 33 even performing an incidental but signicant pumping effect while so bleeding.

A pneumatic pressure passage or conduit 42 is formed longitudinally in the core intermediate the end portions thereof. A radial passage 45 is formed in the core in communication with the upper end of theY conduit 42. A port 44 is formed in the sleeve 28 to register with the passage 43 when the core is in exhaust position with the passage 38 removed from communication with the port 39 and thus the pressure of gas in the chamber 2| is communicated to the conduit 42. A lateral passage 43 extends radially from the lower end of the conduit 42 to the peripheral surface of the core and a port 46 is formed in the tube I5 in a position registering with the passage 45v when the core is in said exhaust position. Thus, when the core is so positioned, gas under pressure is fed into the upper end of the chamber I8 through the port 46, and the passage 38 blocked by the wall of the sleeve 28.

A bleeding passage or conduit 50 is formed longitudinally of the core from the upper end portion thereof to a position short of the lower end portion but below the plug Il. A radial bore 5I extends from the peripheral surface of the core to the lower end of the bleeding conduit 50. A bleeding port 52 is formed in the tube I5 in a position to register with the bore 5| when the core is in intake position.

A pressure relief passage 54 is formed upwardly from the lower end of the core 3D and has an upper end portion extended to the periphery of theI core within the chamber I8. A relief port 55 is formed in the tube in a position to register with the relief passage when the core is in intake position.

The cap I 9 secured to the upper end of the casing In is provided with a cylindrical recess 60 enclosing an annular thrust bearing member 5I. A driving tube 84 extends upwardly through the cap I 9 and the bearing 6I and is provided with an annular flange 65 which rests in rotatable relation on the annular bearing 6|. The lower end of the driving tube 54 is screwthreadedly attached at 66 to the upper end of the core so that the core is rotatable in response to rotative motion of the driving tube. The screw threaded attachment of the tube to the core is preferably locked against relative rotation of the coupled members by a .lamb nut, thrust collar or any other suitable means, not shown.

A circular plate 6T is located in circumscribing relation to the -driving tube and is attached by means of screws 68 to the upper side of the cap I9 thereby enclosing the ange 65 within the recess in the cap I9. The annular space between the driving tube 64 and the circular plate 6l is sealed by means of a packing gland 69 located in circumscribing relation to the driving tube and attached by means of screws 'I0 to the upper side of the plate 61.

The upper end of the driving tube 64 is provided with an enlarged head 'M to which a hub 'i5 is screw-threadedly attached at 'i6 in rotative driving association therewith. A spur` gear 18 is attached to the under side of the head 'I4 and the hub IE by means of a plurality of screws i9. As shown in Fig. l, pinion 82 meshes with the spur gear 18 and is rotatably .driven by a gear reduction mechanism 89 to which it has driven connection. rlhe gear reduction mechanism 83 is supported on a framework 8f4 and is driven by means of an electric motor 85 mounted thereon. The electric motor 85 is electrically energized by means of a pair of conductors 8'! and the operation of the motor is controlled by any suitable timing reverse switch 68 electrically positioned in the conductors 81 between the motor and a source of electrical power. The timing mechanism operates the motor for a short period in one direction and then deenergizes the motor, :if

and after a predetermined period the motor -is electrically energized to rotate in the opposite direction for a short period, and the motor is again deenergized for a predetermined period and then again energized starting another cycle and :if

rotating the motor as first described. This timed reverse operation of the motor 85 also rotates the core 3G through an arc of approximately through the gear reduction mechanism 33, the spur gears I8 and 82, and the driving Vrod 54 connected to the core .between its intake and its exhaust positions. The degrees through which the core is rotated and the timing are readily adapted to operational conditions.

An erect cylindrical sleeve 9B is provided at its lower end with an annular flange 9| which is rotatably positioned between a pair of annular bearings 92 located within the hub I5 between the ange and the upper side of the head '|13 and between the flange and a portion of the hub 'l5 so that relative rotative motion between .the sleeve 99 and the hub l5 is permitted and the sleeve permitted to remain stationary while the hub and driving tube are reciprocated to oscillate the core. The annular space between the pipe 9@ and the hub i5 is sealed by means of a packing gland 9L! which is located in circumscribing relation to the sleeve 9i! and is held inwardly against the upper end of the hub 'l5 by means of a plurality of bolts 95 engaged therewith.

A cylindrical cup-shaped header 98 is screwthreadedly attached at 99 to the upper end of the sleeve 9e. The upper end of the oil discharge pipe 33 extends coaxially upwardly through the header 98 and to a discharge position. The annular space :between the oil discharge pipe 33 and the header 98 is sealed by providing a .packing gland |95 located in circumscribing relation to the oil discharge pipe 33 and threadably received at |96 into the upper end of the header.

it will be apparent that the discharge pipe 33 oscillates with the core. In many instances the discharge pipe 33 may be extended a short distance horizontally over a reservoir not shown without inconvenience. When oscillation of the discharge becomes undesirable, a coupling member may be inserted in the pipe so that portions thereof may move relatively as the sleeve 9U is permitted to move relative to the driving tube 64. The driving tube B4, partially closed at its lower end by means of the upper end of the core 30, and the sleeve 90, located coaxially and in sealed relation therewith being closed at its upper end by means of the header 98, together form or delineate a discharge chamber |91. A gas discharge pipe we' is threadedly received in the header 98 and communicates with the interior thereorleading 4from the gas discharge chamber to a gas and oil condensation chamber, not shown, at a location removed from the pump. The discharge chamber |91 and gas discharge pipe |98 may communicate indirectly through an oil condensation chamber with the atmosphere.

' Operation -As previously. described, the lower end of the casing I0 is located in oil sands or an oil reservoir so that the oil in the well gravitationally seeking its own level in the chamber comes approximately to the top of the fluid chamber I8. -With the pneumatic pressure pipe 22 connected to any suitable source of pneumatic pressure the chamber 2| is filled with compressed air or compressed gas.

-To permit the chamber I8 to ll with oil through the check valve 25, the motor 85, as controlled rby the timing reverse switch 88, is caused toposition the driving tube 6d and thus the core S, in intake attitude, as shown in Figs. 3, 5, 6, and 7. So arranged, oil into which the casing i is extended ows into the tube l5 through the check valve 25 and gradually fills the cham-ber IS. As the chamber lls, air or gas trapped within the tube I5 is exhausted through the relief passage 5d and relief port 55 to the portion of the chamber exteriorly of tube. Air and/or gas in the chamber I8 exteriorly of the tube is vented through the Vport 52, bore 5|, bleeding conduit 50, driving/tube 64, and gas discharge pipe |08. Ag previously mentioned valuable gases and/or oils so vented may conveniently be salvaged in a gas and/or oil condensation chamber or any other suitable means. It is of course within the scope of the present invention to pass gas dischargedV through the pipe |08 through a compressor and thence under pressure back through the pneumatic pressure pipe 22. With the core in intake position, gas under pressure in the chamber 2i passes through the port 39 and passage 38 and thence upwardly through the discharge conduit 32 and discharge pipe 33. aerating oil found in said passages, making the oil lighter for a given volume by such aeration, and exercising a pumping eiect thereon.

. The timing reverse switch 88 is adjusted so that when the chamber I8 has had an opportunity to ll with oil through the check valve 23.

. the motor is reversely energized to return-the driving tube 54 and the core 39 to the exhaust position shown in Figs. 4, 8, 9, and 10. So positioned, the bleeding conduit 59 and the relief passage 54' are closed by the wall of the tube I5 and the lateral passage 45 leading to the discharge conduit 32 is closed by the wall of the sleeve 28. lThe lateral passages t3 and 45 register with the ports 44 and 46 respectively and gas under ypressure contained in the chamber 2| is conducted to the chamber I8 through the pres- 7 sure conduit l2.. The pressure on the; oil in the chamber l8r causes the ballY 2'5: to seat. at 2-4 and the lower end of the tube l'. The gas admitted throughv the port 44 forces the oil in the chamber I8` exteriorly of the tube l5 downwardly and through theY apertures 2.3 into the tube. The oil entering through the apertures forces oil within the tube upwardly in the discharge conduit 32 opening the check valve 34. The check valve permits the. passage of oil upwardly in the conduit 32 and precludes its. return to the chamber i8 therethrough. The timing and' reversing switch 88' is adjusted so that when the gas under pressure admitted to the chamber i8Y has forced the level of the oil outside of the tube i5 down to substantially the level of the uppermost aperture 23, the motor is energized to return the core to intake position, previously described. Any suitable means for the timed oscillation of the driving tube 64 and the core 39 may be employed. Even manual reciprocation or oscillation thereof being within the scope of the present invention. Further, cooperative stops between the core and tube I5', between the core and sleeve 28, between the driving. tube and sLeeve or casing I9, on the spur gear 28, on the `pinion 82, or in the motor 85 may be employed to limit reciprocation of the driving tube 64 and core 39 to precise intake and exhaust attitudes, if desired. Such stops not being necessary, and many types being suitable when desired, the same are not described in greater detail herein. It will be apparent that successive oscillation of the core will urge oil from the well upwardly in the discharge conduit and pipe 33 in stepped progression. In actual practice, the level of the oil entering the chamber I8 when the core is set in intake position, frequently may be many hundred feet above the uppermost of the apertures 23. Thus, considerable quantities of oil are moved' upwardly in the conduit and pipe duringA each exhaust position of the core by gas pressures imposed on the upper surface of the oil through the portl 44. Only relatively infrequent oscillation of the core is required to pump even large volumes of oil or other fluid.

Although thel pumpV of the present invention is shown and described as adapted to pump oil, the pump may conveniently be usedv to pump any free owing liquids with another liquid of a different speoic gravity used as the pumping medium. The pump is also adapted to pump other fluids, such as gas, with a uid pumping medium that is either liquid or gaseous but of necessity of different specific gravity.

The pump of the present invention has a minimum number of moving parts. The elevational rcciprocation of moving parts during pumping operations has been eliminated. Friction of moving parts has substantially :been reduced. No mechanical parts, with the exception of Iportions of the checl; valves, are vertically reciprocated and. thus material power savings are effected. The pump of the present invention is believed to be the iirst to operate as eilectively and etciently in crooked or slanted Wells as in straight vertical wells. The instant pump is capable of lifting fluids through greater distances than jet, reciprocal, or other known fluid motivated pumps.

Although 1 have herein shown and described my invention in what I have conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of my invention, which is not to.z be limited toA the details disclosed herein, but is to' be accorded the full scopevof the claims; so. as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and structures.

Having described my invention what I claim is new and desire to secure Iby Letters Patent is:

A pump comprising a casing having a closed upper end portion and an open lower end por. tion adapted for immersion in a fluid' to be pumped; a substantially cylindrical tube positioned within the lower end portion of the casing; a pair of spaced plugs radially interconnectingl the tube and the casing in substantially fluid-tight engagement at positions longitudinally spaced in the lower end of the casing; said tube being apertured between the plugs adjacent to the lower plug, having an exhaust port and a pressure-supply port formed therein in lperipherally spaced positions between the plugs and adjacent to the upper plug, a gas inlet formed above the upper plug, and a gas lay-pass opening formed above said upper plug peripherally spaced from the gas inlet; a check valve mounted in the lower end of the tube restricting movement of fluid therethrough to flow into the tube; a core mounted in the tube for oscillation, said core having an exhaust conduit formed therein from the upper end of the core tol a position registerable with the exhaust port, a pressure supply conduit interconnecting positions simultaneously registerable with the gas inlet and the pressure supply port, a discharge conduit formed longitudinally through the core, and a radial bore interconnecting the discharge conduit and the periphery of the core in a position registerable with the by-pass opening in the tube, the lower ends of the exhaust conduit and the pressure supply conduit being open to the periphery of' the core in positions alternately registerable with the exhaust port and the pressure supply port respectively upon oscillation of the core, the upper end of the pressure supply conduit being open to the periphery of the core at a position registerable with the gas inlet in the tube simultaneously with registration of the lower end of said conduit with the pressure supply port, and the radial bore of the core being positioned to register with the gas by-pass opening when the lower end of the exhaust conduit registers with the exhaust port; a hollow control shaft axially connected to the core in circumscribing relation to the upper end of the exhaust conduit and to the upper end of the discharge conduit, the control shaft being open to the atmosphere; a discharge pipe connected t0 the upper end` portion of the discharge conduit of the core and upwardly extended through the closed upper end portion of the casing; reciprocating means having driving connection with the control shaft; and means for supplying gas under pressure to the casing externally of the control shaft.

EDWARD N. MACNEIL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,589,551 Pendleton June 22, 1926 2,202,970 Steele June 4, 1940 2,309,383 Crites Jan. 26, 1946 2,405,324 Nixon Aug. 6, 1946 

